2018 FIFA World Cup qualification — football classification process for 2018 World Cup
Determined which five African nations would represent CAF at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Key Facts
- CAF slots in final tournament
- 5
- Format approved by CAF ExCo
- 14 January 2015
- Original preliminary rounds planned
- 3
- Preliminary rounds after revision
- 2
- Teams in final group stage
- 20
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
CAF member nations sought to compete for five allocated berths at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The CAF Executive Committee approved a qualifying format on 14 January 2015, initially planning three preliminary rounds before a final group stage of 20 teams.
African nations participated in the CAF qualification process, which was revised from three preliminary rounds to two following FIFA guidance in July 2015. The final group stage featured 20 teams competing for the five available World Cup slots.
Five African national teams qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia, representing the continent at the global tournament after progressing through the revised two-round preliminary and final group stage format.